Mountain Biking

The Garden Route is ideal for mountain biking, and Harkerville, 20 km (12 miles) east of Knysna, is where mountain bikers usually head first. Here you'll find four color-coded circular trails of varying length and difficulty, starting and ending at the Garden of Eden. The most challenging of these is the Red route, which is a 22-km (13½-mile) ride through forest with some coastal scenery along the way. The others are Blue (11 km/7 miles), Yellow (13 km/8 miles), and Green (14 km/9 miles). There's a fifth 22-km (13½-mile) trail, Petrus se Brand, that is not circular but can be ridden in either direction between Diepwalle and Garden of Eden. It's tight and twisty, and you'll zip downhill (if you start at Diepwalle) over the springy forest floor, dodging enormous trees. It costs R35 to cycle any of these trails.

Outeniqua Biking Hire. You can rent mountain bikes (R150) from Outeniqua Bike Hire, which is conveniently located right on the forest edge and close to the trails. Only adult bikes are available and booking is essential. The SANParks entrance fee is R35. Off N2, 20 km (12.4 miles) east of Knysna, Harkerville, Western Cape. 044/532–7644; 083/252–7997.